THE CHANGING FACE OF 77




As it was, nice tank and mudguards


 A super find in California a Ty250D in running condition. Off we go to look at the machine and
there it is sitting in the driveway when we arrive. One little old lady owner, rarely used etc, etc.
I take a test ride and to my amazement everything works. The motor is crisp and powerful, smooth
at the bottom end, brakes work and overall the condition is pretty good with black preston pettys
and a fantastic paint job on the tank which is also black.

 A deal is struck, under original asking price, as I list all the problems and I peel off 7 notes and
 the bike is on the rack within minutes.





 Back home all the black units are swopped to the other 77 bike and now the plan is to make this
 one different and to my liking. The mind's eye has this one a bit like my FXR Harley with a black
frame, yellow motor and Harley Cobalt blue (purple) tank and fenders.



 Down to the paint shop and cans of Harley blue are made along with the clear coat finish. Get my
sign maker to produce some special Yamaha decals in red to blend with the purple paint. 




NOW that's the Color!

 All the normal prep is completed and while the machine begins to grow in the lounge the painting
is under way. The mudguards take the paint and it flexes without cracking. The tank however, is
something else. It has been rubbed down, washed, rerubbed and now takes the first coat. Later
on coat 2. Much later coat 3 for that deeper color and just as I'm finishing it BUBBLES! Imagine my
annoyance....... difficult to describe!



Gorgeous

 Another round of rub downs, wet and dry and now ready to go again.........thank you! Finally clear
coat and things are looking good.





Can't wait

 All done and just as I had imagined. Off to the first event at Oak Flats for a CAT trial and of course
it generates a lot of interest. After sign up I go for a little light practice and warm up and while
having fun pull a wheelie, at which point the overflow tube flips out of the top yoke and fuel
dribbles down the top of the tank. Back at the start I wipe off the fuel and as it transpires a fair
amount of paint!!! The fuel has cut through everything and yours truly is less than happy.  Now as
an aside what I normally do is take the little side panel grommetts and after you have positioned
the vent pipe through the hole in the top yoke just slide one of these rubbers over the tube and it
will keep it in place.



 The All Alloy Version



First Outing Kingman AZ

 Home once more and rethink the color scheme....... how about a purple frame, alloy guards, silver
engine and as the tanks on these models are alloy let's polish that as well.  Mr Zulu......"Make it so!"





A Double AHRMA win in Perris CA

 One month later here she is in her new livery. Now as we move into 2008 I'm thinking of revising
this beastie for the CAT  series as it looks like Vintage and TwinShock will be combined so as the
77 offers a smoother engine response this may be the bike to use. All it will need are the back
and down Miller pegs a new exhaust as I saw a small weep in the header pipe...... and just maybe
chrome that frame and move the falcon shocks over from the Majesty...?











TONY DOWN